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Yellowstone Fires: Ecological Blessings In Disguise - September 14, 2008

The massive fires that engulfed Yellowstone National Park in 1988 burned 1.2 million acres in the area. While the blazes looked devastating, fire ecologists now know just how important they are to the park's vegetation.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94534548&ft=1&f=1007

Legs Propelled Whale Ancestor - September 13, 2008

A paleontologist has discovered a missing link in the evolutionary chain of whales. Mark Uhen, a paleontologist at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, has found evidence that an early species of whale, Georgiacetus, used to swim using the power of two hind legs.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94596835&ft=1&f=1007

Gulf Coast Resident Provides Glimpse Of Hurricane - September 13, 2008

As the back end of the storm approaches the Gulf Coast, reporter Pat Dowell, a resident of Baytown, Texas talks with host Scott Simon about the situation near Galveston. She lives close to the Exxon oil refinery, one of the largest in the U.S.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94591130&ft=1&f=1007

Hurricane Ike Threatens Texas Coast - September 13, 2008

As day breaks in Texas, Hurricane Ike continues to batter towns along the Texas coast. NPR's Carrie Kahn in Houston talks with host Scott Simon about the strength of Hurricane Ike and the damage so far on the ground.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94591127&ft=1&f=1007

M.I.T. Prof To Probe Earth's 'Great Dying' - September 12, 2008

Two colossal events in Earth's history took place about 250 million years ago: a gigantic volcanic eruption and massive extinction of species. Were they related Lindy Elkins-Tanton of M.I.T. has won a major grant to explore that question.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94561226&ft=1&f=1007